The Importance of Family and Friends in Helping People...

The Importance of Family and Friends in Helping People with Schizophrenia Maintain a Normal Life Schizophrenia, an often-misunderstood disease, is usually interpreted by those not familiar with it as a Multiple Personality Disorder. But this is not true. While a person who is afflicted with schizophrenia, may also suffer from multiple personality disorder, it is not the rule of thumb. Unfortunately, due to the lack of support from family or friends, many schizophrenics go without proper treatment and may wind up homeless. There is nothing that can be measured to diagnose schizophrenia. Other diseases share many of its symptoms. What schizophrenia is or is not, cannot be decided on. However, German psychiatrist, Kurt†¦show more content†¦It is however accompanied by an overwhelming loss of interest and initiative. The sufferer of simple schizophrenia will also usually suffer from withdrawal and will blunt their emotions (Torrey, 1983). The part of the brain is thought to be affected by schizophrenia is the limbic system. It was realized that the limbic system might be the source of the malfunction when it was discovered that all the information and incoming stimuli must pass through the limbic system before being sorted out. Previously thee limbic system was disregarded, and considered simply a remnant of our primitive past. At that time the outer areas, the gray matter of the brain, was studied(Torrey, 1983). Occasionally schizophrenia runs in the family, although it is not well understood how. It is known that close relatives (parents, siblings) of those with schizophrenia, have a 10 % chance of developing symptoms, compared to the 1% chance of the general population (Torrey, 1983). Not much is known about what exactly causes schizophrenia, or which parts of the brain are affected. One guess to the cause of schizophrenia is that neurotransmitter dopamine is involved. Some of the supporting evidence behind this theory is the fact that amphetamines, when given in large doses, causes the brains dopamine levels to rise, this can cause the subject to show schizophrenia like symptoms (Torrey, 1983). There are three different fields of thoughtShow MoreRelatedHistorical Background Of Social And Psychological Therapy Essay1947 Words   |  8 PagesSchizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder, or cluster of disorders, characterized by psychotic symptoms that alter a person’s perception , thoughts and behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). This paper will discuss briefly the historical background of social and psychological therapy, its aims and principles, the evidence base of the strengths and weaknesses of the therapy. 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Alzheimer s disease as suggested by the Alzheimer’s Society is the most â€Å"common cause of dementia†. They also suggest the â€Å"word dementia describes a setRead MoreThe European Society Of Animal Assisted Therapy7002 Words   |  29 Pagesprofessional well-founded considerations. Therapy dogs undergo extensive training before working with patients (Murphy, Shepard, (2004). There are many different groups of people that have benefited from canine assisted therapy. The following sections will take an in-depth look at a few groups. Canine Assisted Therapy for people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer s disease as suggested by the Alzheimer’s Society is the most â€Å"common cause of dementia†. They also suggest the â€Å"word dementia describes a set